- 5% increase in vehicular accidents in SVG for 2023
- No statistics on accidents due to drunk driving in SVG
In 2023, the St Vincent police force recorded a total of 845 motor vehicle accidents. In contrast, the figure for 2022 stands at 781, representing a 5% increase.
Assistant Superintendent Parnel Browne, responsible for traffic matters, stated that in Kingstown, there were 456 documented accidents in 2022, while the number increased to 545 in 2023.
”Now, you might ask yourself, What are the causes of these accidents? Some are attributable to negligence. We have seen people using devices not paying attention to the roads; hence, they are running into other motor vehicles and running off the roads.”.
Browne said in 2022 there were six road fatalities in comparison to four in 2023. A decrease in the number of road fatalities in 2023.
Browne stated that there is a lack of statistical data regarding accidents resulting from drunk driving and provided an explanation for this absence.
“We have no evidence, and we have no statistics as to the number of accidents that occurred in relation to people being under the influence of alcohol.
The law applies to persons who, we assume, are under the influence of alcohol. If they do not volunteer to have their blood tested, we cannot just go on and carry them to a doctor; they have to volunteer to be tested for alcohol and drugs in order for us to pursue them along that line.
I believe legislators are in the process of upgrading our laws to suit our modern times”.
”I want to assure the general public that for 2024, we at the Traffic Department will continue to make our roads safe for all citizens. We intend to continue our radio and television programmes to sensitise people as to how to make themselves safer while using our roads. We are also in the process of erecting more signs on our roads. We cannot allow the motorist to assume where a sign should be or what sign should be in place.”.
Browne stated that the annual Road Safety Week will occur in the first half of this year.
